Retirement residents raise money for Terry Fox

It was 31 years ago that Terry Fox began his iconic Marathon of Hope, running across Canada to raise funds to fight cancer, the disease that took his right leg.  His goal was to persuade every Canadian to donate one dollar for cancer research. Terry was forced to end his run in Thunder Bay, Ontario when the cancer he fought off three years earlier returned. He had run 143 days straight, averaging a marathon distance (42 km) every day, and running 5,374 km in total. While his dream to run across the country died, Terry Fox's dream to raise money and awareness thrived with the birth of the annual Terry Fox Run and The Terry Fox Foundation.



The "Silver Fox" Run

The Terry Fox Foundation is inviting retirement homes and seniors residences to host their very own “Silver Fox” Runs to raise funds for cancer research, while remembering a true Canadian hero. Every September, our older supporters get out and do their part in Terry’s name. Their recollections of Terry’s historic journey are detailed and provide much excitement for all to listen in on.

Walk, wheel, play chess or lawn bowl

The “Silver Fox” Run is a flexible fundraiser as there is no minimum amount of money required to be raised and organizers can choose the activities and fundraising ideas that suit their location. In past years participants have taken a walk or wheel around their retirement or community homes, played chess, competed in lawn bowling tournaments, even knitted scarves which were sold for donations. One of the most memorable “Silver Fox” participants drove his scooter 13 km on a highway outside of Consort, Alberta. At the end of the day he had raised over $600 from individuals who had pulled their vehicles over to donate money in support of cancer research.

Be as creative as you like

“As you can see the sky is the limit when it comes to fundraising for the “Silver Fox” Run. The more creative, the more fun the event will be. One year residents from Greenway Retirement Village in Brampton went as far as making a beautiful cake with a map of Terry’s Marathon of Hope displayed. The cake was beautiful and it received a lot of attention. The more creative you can be when organizing your Silver Fox Run, the more memories and fun you will have participating in it,” says Charlotte Stalgitis, Event Development Assistant for the Terry Fox Foundation’s Alberta Office.

Registration

Once you have made the decision to partake in the annual “Silver Fox” Run, register with The Terry Fox Foundation and your event will be supplied with promotional and fundraising materials, as well as “thank you” mementoes for all participants.

The Silver Fox Run is a simple and fun way of keeping Terry Fox’s dream alive and raising money for all cancer research. If you are a senior or retirement coordinator who is interested in organizing a “Silver Fox” Run, please contact the Terry Fox Foundation at 1.888.836.9786 or visit our website at www.terryfox.org .

We look forward to seeing what fun and exciting events you come up with!

By Charlotte Stalgits

Event Development Assistant

Terry Fox Foundation, Alberta Office